JANUARY.
Little attention will be required during this month of cold and frost, except upon a mild day, should such occur, of cleaning the floor-boards with a dry brush, and looking well to the ventilation of boxes of all kinds; for however trifling these matters may appear to those who are inexperienced in Bee-management, the well-doing of many stocks during the coming reason will, in a great measure, depend upon their being carefully attended to; and the interior of the hives being clean and free from damp at this time is quite as important as their having a supply of food in store, for even with the latter, if the former be neglected, the hives frequently perish.
Food.—When the hives are very weak—that is, having only Two or three pounds of honey in store, I would recommend a Lew pounds of syrup being given—viz., one pound of loaf sugar, a quarter of a pint of water, and a quarter of a pound of honey, simmered together over a slow fire until the sugar is melted, and when cold given to the Bees, and at the top of the hive if possible; but where they have a little richer store, barley-sugar may be given instead of syrup.
Shade.—Many persons have advocated the sun's rays in winter not falling upon the hives. Mr. Taylor says:—"Where The hives stand singly, I have always seen the advantages of fixing before each a wooden screen, nailed to a post sunk in the ground, and large enough to throw the whole front into shade. This does not interfere with the coming-forth of the Bees at a proper temperature, and it supersedes the necessity of shutting Them up when snow is on the ground. The screen should be fixed a foot or two in advance, and so as to intercept the sun's rays, which will be chiefly in winter towards the west side."
Ventilation.—Where boxes are used ventilation cannot be too much insisted upon, and a frequent examination of the floor-boards; and where dampness and mouldiness are observed, they should be exchanged for clean and dry ones.
Enemies and Snow.—The titmouse must be sharply looked after and destroyed as winter approaches, either by trapping, shooting, or bird-lime. Mice are also very apt to take up their winter abode inside the hives, where the single pedestal is not used; hence the necessity of a frequent examination of the hives.
See that the entrances of the hives are narrowed, and that during the time snow remains upon the ground they are wholly closed, so that not a single Bee can escape, for the sun shining upon the snow never fails to bring the Bees out of their hives, and settling upon the snow, they are immediately chilled, and die; but, upon the disappearance of the snow, not an hour must be lost in unstopping the entrances, and giving the Bees full liberty. This is very important, for, after a confinement of ten or twelve days, which may sometimes be found necessary, full liberty must be given them, upon the melting of the snow, by unstopping the hives; and not only unstopping, but seeing that the entrances are clear, and not filled up with dead Bees, which, after a long confinement, will very frequently happen. Many a good stock has perished for want of this precaution.
Glasses and Hives.—The provident apiarian will now provide himself with all the glasses and hives, of whatever kind he may fancy, either of wood or straw, that he may be likely to require during the ensuing season; and it is always better to have a few to spare than to have a short supply, for it is not at all an unusual thing for a swarm to fly away whilst sending about to procure a hive; when on the contrary, had there been a good supply, much time and inconvenience would have been saved, as well as the loss of the Bees prevented. Many cottagers make their own hives during the winter evenings, and very praiseworthy it is; the materials to make them cost very little. Straw is easily obtained; brambles, also to sew them with abound everywhere; and the method of making them is very easily acquired. I would recommend a swarm never to be put into an old hive; the old hives will be useful as covers to glasses, and for hiving second and third swarms that are to be joined to others on the evening of the day they swarm. Where wood hives are used a second time, great care must be taken to make them thoroughly clean, and free from the eggs of moths.